Dawn patrol: Aurora cops', Schaumburg teens' daring dam rescue

Newly hatched painted turtles look to escape their container before they are released at a DuPage forest preserve on Tuesday. Their mother was hit by a car and didn't make it, but Willowbrook Wildlife Preserve incubated the eggs that she was carrying and seven of the 10 were released.Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Aurora cops, Schaumburg teens honored for dam rescue

Two Aurora police officers were honored yesterday, as well as four teen river rafters from Schaumburg, because they all worked to help save another police officer and his son who were trapped in the current of the Buzzi Unicem Dam near Oglesby in June. Full story.

Fire burns outside Wheeling High School

A tar kettle being used in the resurfacing of Wheeling High School's roof caught fire yesterday afternoon, spreading to a nearby Dumpster and spilling down the driveway in front of the school, fire officials said. No one was injured, and the school was not damaged. Full story.

IDOT to host meeting Wednesday on Route 59/20 project in Bartlett

Discussions will continue today in Bartlett regarding the Illinois Department of Transportation's plans to improve the Route 59 interchange at Route 20, a proposal that's drawn criticism from some nearby residents. The public is invited to view updates and make comments. Full story.

Glendale Heights canine officer dies

A 14-year-veteran of the Glendale Heights Police Department, Don Darby, died yesterday after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. Darby, 38, was the canine officer who worked with the department's only drug dog, Lucky. Darby is survived by his wife and two children. Full story.

Turtle hatchlings released after mother struck by car

Seven turtle hatchlings rescued after their mother was hit by a car in June were released yesterday at a DuPage County Forest Preserve. A good Samaritan found the injured mama turtle and took her to Willowbrook Wildlife Center in Glen Ellyn, where she was X-rayed and staff veterinarians noticed she was carrying 10 eggs inside her. After incubation, seven midland painted turtles hatched Friday and have been returned to the wild. Full story.

O'Hare welcomes new, hungry lawn mower

A baby lamb joined the four-legged mowing troupe of 25 llamas, burros, goats and sheep in charge of keeping the grass short around O'Hare International Airport. Short grass deters small wildlife that attract birds and hawks, which interfere with air traffic; the hungry herbivores have it under control. Full story.

Waukegan sees spate of BB gun shootings

At least six people have been shot by a BB gun throughout Waukegan in the past month and Waukegan police officers are asking for the public's help. No serious injuries have been reported in the attacks that have seemed to target women, police said. Full story.

Weather

Cool to start with temperatures hovering around 58 degrees this morning. Temperatures are expected to climb to about 75 degrees this afternoon, before dropping back to 54 degrees tonight. Full story.

Traffic

Construction is causing delays on Route 45 between East Lake-Cook Road and IL Route 83 near Vernon Hills. Resurfacing work continues through Nov. 15th, and traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction. More traffic.

Bears working on balance

The training wheels haven't come off the Bears' new offense or the rotation of offensive linemen still working out the kinks. Bears fans are hoping for improvement as the second preseason football game Thursday approaches. Be patient, Bears coaches say. Full story.

The man who had to fire nice guy Ernie Banks

For Dallas Green to admit in 2013 for all to read that he fired Ernie Banks in 1982, well, the audacity of the man. My goodness, Green is talking about a man who was honored last night at Wrigley Field for receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor. Mike Imrem writes.

Parents, share your best back-to-school advice

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